Friday, April 9, 2010

so here I am using the iPad's digital keypad to write. it's actually surprisingly useable! there are a few things missing, however, such as a tab key, and I'm not yet sure how to make the autofill work. When I start typing, it gives suggestions, but I don't know how to accept one. People who text a lot probably have this stuff down, but I have never sent a text in my life! What this does is several things happen automatically, like capitalizing the first letter, and I, so you don't have to keep changing keyboards ( it has an ABC keyboard, and a 123 keyboard, that you need to toggle back and forth between. It would be nice to have things like the apostrophe key on the abc keyboard. As far as computing devices, it follows Apples easy to use approach, but some things aren't quite as intuitive as others.

Oh, wait, I see an autofill button, I wonder if that is what I press... No... It gives a suggestion under the word, but if I tap it, it just goes away. I don't see a way to accept it. Hmmm.

If you are not connected to the Internet, most things don't quite work. Cary claims that it can be used as a gps, but I don't see how, as you need to be connected in order for it to find your location. We'll see.

I'm still not sure if ts is just an expensive toy, or if it will actually be a useful tool. I really can't justify an expensive toy!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

So I got the call from UPS on Saturday, like I said, and Sarah and I headed out the door - but not before Cary had said that we couldn't open it until we were all together. The problem with that was that Sarah and I were on our way to Healdsberg, via Yuba City, Cary and Cassi were headed for the same destination, only via San Francisco (they were going to a philosophy convention).UPS was open until 2:15, we arrived at 2:10. The sign on the door said "CLOSED", but the big side doors, where the UPS truck are parked were open, so I started "hallow"-ing until I found 3 guys in the office, who helped me get the paperwork in order. I asked if they had delivered many iPad's that day (they knew what was in the packages, apparently), and was told that about 28 people in the Nevada City/Grass Valley area had received them. There was one remaining in the office, when I got mine.Sarah snapped my picture as I came out of the building with it in my hot little hands.

SO then we drove over to Healdsberg, so that Sarah could be back for her special activity (which didn't actually materialize...). Cary and Cassi didn't arrive until 12:30 am, by which time Sarah was fast asleep, and so, we didn't open the package that night.

The next morning Cassi and I met up with Sarah in the Caf for Sunday brunch, leaving Cary sleeping in the borrowed motorhome, then we all went shopping for Cassi's birthday party, and met up with Emily at Walmart. Emily, however, couldn't come back with us to the party, as she had a "hot date", so she wasn't present for the grand opening of the iPad.

It was POURING down rain, the whole day, and I was drenched by the time all the party stuff was set up, and we could finally open the package - Here is the initial video...

It kinda looks like a party for the iPad, or maybe the iPad was for Cassi's birthday - neither of which is true, it just worked out that they coincided.

I was disappointed, because I realized that it needed to be synced with iTunes before I realized that we had Sarah's laptop with us, so we hooked them up together and got it up and running.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Ok, it's here, I got it, it's currently syncing with my desktop. It's about as amazing and cool as it looked, with an amazingly sensitive touch screen, that responds like a dream! It has been a long weekend, with lots of driving - the 4 hour drive home from taking my daughters back to school being especially stressful in the rain. I am going to write more tomorrow.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

I just got a call from UPS, that my iPad is there, and since they don't deliver to NSJ on Saturday, I can go get it, if I can make it before 2:15! Si I DO get get it today - Alleluia! I will record the event, and post it to my blog!!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

I heard on Clark Howard show, yesterday, that the iPad is now not going to ship until the 12th. I'm thinking that must be for people who didn't order on 3/12, I hope. I checked my tracking info, and there is an EXCEPTION, which I didn't understand, but then I got a notice from Apple that UPS doesn't do Saturday delivery in my area - ARRGGGHHHH! So it is delayed until Monday, April 5. SO I guess the count goes up now.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

I got a notice in my inbox today that my package has shipped!! My new iPad is (theoretically) ON IT"S WAY!! I panicked a little this week when I say a little news blurb on KFBK's website saying "new iPad orders won't ship till 4/12", the blurb was quickly replaced with another, so I couldn't go see what it was talking about. But I guess that's for the people who didn't order early, like I did. So, it's on it's way!!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Before bed last night I was perusing the Wired Magazine article again, about the iPad - boy, are they ever sure that this is the next "best thing"! The way the article is written is interesting, because it uses a low-tech hyperlink format, where certain phrases are highlighted in a color, with that color arrow leading to one of the side-bar, side-articles. Fascinating, in that, before web pages and hyperlinks, I don't know how well understood that type of writing would have been.

A quote from one of the side bar editorials, by Neil Young, CEO of ngmoco "forget the netbook. It's a slow, clunky piece of junk. Do I want to look like the guy who couldn't afford a real computer, or the guy who went to the future and brought back a device that's as cool as I imagine I am?"

Last night the iPad invaded my dreams. I dreamed that it had arrived, and I was exploring it's many functions. Of course, in my dream, it could do much more than it actually can, and somehow I couldn't quite get enough time with it to see what it did, because everyone else wanted to look at it, and play with it - especially my husband who keeps claiming it will be his..."

But it won't be his, it will be mine - or ours - I guess I can be that generous ;). And I'm still a little unsure. They keep stating that if folks like the iPhone so much, then this is definitely the next step. I, however, have never even had the slightest interest in the iPhone, or any of those smart phones that do everything. I like my phone to make phone calls, and my camera to take pictures. I don't use my phone to text, or play games, or even to take pictures. So, will this device be something that I will actually find useful?

Nevertheless, I still think buying it is a good idea, because there are those people who DO love their iPhones, and all those cool apps, and so it should be easy enough to unload it if I find it to be just another toy. Well, then there's my husband, who has a difficult time letting go of stuff. He will probably want to hold on to it for it's toy value, so I might have a hard time getting him to let me resell it, which I would want to do because we sure don't need a toy THAT expensive!!

Monday, March 22, 2010

We got the newest Wired magazine in the mail today, and the front cover was dedicated to the iPad. Apparently the iPad marks the end of desktop, laptops and the peripherals, such as mice and keyboards. Apparently the tablet is the next thing, and there will be no going back. Good old Apple, always coming up with the innovations!

So why do the majority have PC's? Smarter early marketing ploys, I guess. Apple came up with color, with integrated machines, with the computer/monitor combination. Back in the 80's, Apple came out with the macplus, the first integrated machines, so cute and portable, little 12X12X18 boxes, with little 7" screens. We used to have a bunch of them, maybe 10, down in our storage/school bus, but I sold them all on eBay last year, Dang it - I should have held on to them. They still worked, just had no keyboards and mice. They will probably be worth something (again) someday, vintage collectors items. They were pretty cool! Hopefully there's still one down there...

Now the "tech-sperts" (I just made that up) are pronouncing this as the beginning of the next greatest movement in computer technology, tablet computing. And this time, I will be on the cutting edge. Woo-hoo!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

So there is only one Saturday standing between me and my iPad! The following Saturday I will hold it in my hot little hands!!!!

Emily says that I owe it to the world to begin blogging about my understanding of the Lords Prayer. I told her how hard it's been for me to know where, and how, to begin. So she said that when the iPad arrives, that is my deadline, then I need to start a Lords Prayer blog, written on the iPad. So that is my plan.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Is it a phone?Can I connect through my home wireless internet (I would imagine)?Will it arrive on the 3rd, or just ship that day?Does it come with the apps installed, or do I need to buy them all individually?What is the system - is it OSX, or some linux based PC compatible thingy?does it have a HD?Will 16 gigs be enough?how difficult will it be to read books on i?How much do book downloads cost?

These questions (and more) will be answered in 15 days (or so).

Meanwhile, I sit at home, wondering if I really wouldn't have been wiser to buy new tires for the car, pay the kids tuition, save the money for emergencies, or any number of other more pressing needs for that $499 (plus tax = $548).

It occurred to me, that since the money is still in my bank account, maybe my order didn't go through! I started to get concerned, and realized that I have no way to check - should I order again? What do I do...? Arggghhh...

So I called the iPad 800 #, and spoke to Hugo (who was very helpful!). He said that I should have an order #, which I then remembered printing out. I located that, and now feel reassured. While I had him on the phone, I asked if it would ship on he 3rd, and he said that, no, it would ship a few days before, so that I would receive it on the 3rd, giving those who go to an Apple store no advantage over the people who pre-ordered online, as far as when we would have it in our hot little hands.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

My two youngest daughters left for Albania yesterday, so part of my mind, heart and world is on a different continent. When Emily went to India, I remember that I felt that separation keenly. This is not about worry, there would not be a worry big enough to keep them safe. I know that the Father who loves them more than I do will watch over them, and that's enough for me. It's just a fact of motherhood that we are inextricably tied to our children, forever, and when they hurt, we hurt; when they experience joy, our joy is exponentially increased, and when they are absent, part of our very consciousness is affected. That part of us that keeps them in remembrance at all times is tugged and pulled, and stretched, as they move further from us. We become bigger, able to be more, able to stretch further - but it's a painful process!!

And what does this have to do with me waiting for my iPad? Not much, actually, except that they will be back before it arrives, and so it's not too long that I have to be stretched all the way to Albania.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

My sweet eldest just posted about waiting for trains, and it made me think about this wait for latest and greatest technology - not that I have waited as long, or longed for as hard, as the thing she is/has been waiting for, but...

The only way we can learn patience is by having to be patient. As a woman of a more mature age, I have had to wait for many things; love to come into my own life, pregnancy, birth (6 times over), death, and yes, trains. I have learned that the waiting is worth it (or it's not), the train will come (or it won't), love will happen, whether the one we expected, or another kind all together, the babies will be born, and the sick will eventually be freed from their suffering.

And so I have found peace in my life. I have learned patience, and will learn more, as I wait more; for love for my daughters, for grandchildren, for things of great consequence and things of little. I understand that the iPad I'm waiting for falls into the "of little" category, but there are times when having a thing you are counting down to helps to pass the time; Helps to expound on the more important lessons of life, and waiting, and patience.

I want my daughters to understand that the pain and suffering of the wait is ALWAYS worth it, whether the the specific thing they are waiting for comes through for them or not, because the important thing is the character developed along the way. And when that train arrives, and the specific goal is accomplished, and you settle into your seat, let out your breath and relax... You find yourself waiting for the next thing, the end of one wait is the beginning of the next. The birth of a baby is the end of pregnancy, but the beginning of parenting; the arrival of love is the beginning the relationship, the wedding begins the marriage, and so it goes...

Friday, March 12, 2010

Ok, I got up early this morning (5:30) and placed my order... spent the money on something that won't be available 'til 4/3. Cary said I should - but at the same time he keeps insisting it will be HIS! argggh! I hit him with the clencher last night though - I used to have a little red car... So he said it could be mine.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

and, Yup, I still want one. I really should put the money into fixing my car, so that I can give my daughter her car back, but I'm hoping I don't have to. So far, the money remains untouched in the envelope. I can pre-order on Friday, so- only 2 days 'til decision time. I'm thinking that if I go ahead and order Friday, I will be one of the first to receive one on the 3rd of April, which is what I want.

Why do I want this thing? How is it going to enrich my life? Will it actually be a useful tool? Time will tell...

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Ok, so I'm reading a book - Blind Faith, by Ben Elton. A truly frightening (though humorous), 1984-esque book, about where all this blogging, Youtubing and reality TV will end up. Kind of frightening to start a blog with THAT hanging over my head - *shudder*.

So, anyway, I saw the ad for the newest, latest and greatest technology to come along in a long time - more exciting than sliced bread... and I want one! Never before have I been one to be on the cutting edge, I am more cautious, waiting until the technology has been tested, waiting till the price goes down a couple of hundred $$. But this, now, this is different!

The iPad.

The release date has been set for April 3, 2010, with a pre-order date of March 12.

Usually, I wouldn't even be able to consider it, we are ALWAYS broke. The economy is bad, work is slow, but... Cary just got a full time job, AND I got another art commission, AND we got a big tax refund - so we actually have the money, I could actually get one! So exciting. And my husband wants me to. So I put an envelope aside with enough money in it to actually be able to do it.

So, unless a big emergency comes along, and we have to spend the money before the release date, it looks like I will get one. YEEEEAAAHHH! (is that a frightened sound or an excited one - not sure, to tell the truth!)

Emily brought up one of the qualms I have, what if they actually SUCK? Being one of the first to buy means you are helping to work any bugs out, BUT, after all, it is an Apple product, and I firmly believe in Apple products, being a long time mac user. Emily also points out that, on the off chance that it DOES suck, I can quickly re-sell it on eBay, before the word gets out.

And I can blog about my experience - the countdown, the expectation, the end result... ecstasy or misery?

So, the countdown is on, 4 weeks, or exactly 28 days, till release; 6 days till pre-orders will be accepted. Should I pre-order? Probably, then they will know how many to have available, otherwise I might miss out!

One reason I think they are so cool, is because of a book I read 20 or so years ago - Enders Game, by Orson Scott Card, published 1977. A science fiction, facing the end of the world, book. In it, the children have these computer "pads" - devices that were a desk of sorts, on which they could play games and do homework. Way before desktop computers, Card came up with this thing that now I am reminded of, when I heard about the iPad.

I like the size - spiral bound notebook size, I like the fact that it does what they tried to do with "netbooks", and in my opinion, failed. It replaces the netbook, the kindle, the digital picture viewer, the Wacom tablet, and all MP3 players. And does it all better - at least from what I understand from Mr. Jobs' release video, with no need for a mouse, or keyboard, or any other peripherals!

Although I am excited, and expect great things of the iPad, I do promise to be honest in my opinion, and to report on it accurately.

About Me

I was always one of those little girls who wanted to grow up to be a mom. I had no greater aspirations than that, and I still believe that it is the most important job anyone can do - raising the next generation. I have had the privilege of giving birth to 5 beautiful, intelligent, healthy human beings, and have been happily married to their father for 26 years.